The Lubbock Central Appraisal District has mailed appraisal value notices to most residents, and many homeowners discovered their homes had increased in value.

Experts said the rise in valuation was likely due to changes in the housing market.

“What we see is folks that haven’t done anything to their house, and they get a new tax notice and they’re up six percent, or they’re up eight percent or ten percent and they want to know why,” said Gary Adrian, registered property tax consultant.

“Actually, some people call and say ‘I painted my house last year and now all of a sudden it’s gone up,” he said. “Generally the paint or anything like that doesn’t have anything to do with it. The values are arrived at based on sales of similar properties in the neighborhood.”

Tim Radloff, Chief Appraiser for LCAD, said the market analysis dictates how the valuations are determined.

“We go into each neighborhood, based on sales in those neighborhoods, and make adjustments to all the properties in that one neighborhood based on the information that we’re seeing,” Radloff explained. “As the market appreciates or depreciates, we are to follow that market. That’s what we’re charged with doing.”

“The methods that they use are all very scientific,” Adrian added.

Sharon Morgan, a homeowner in South Lubbock, said she has protested the valuation of her house when she received the appraisal paperwork.

“When we first moved here, the first year, it went up like $25,000. Me and one of the neighbors both went and contested it. I’ve contested it every year up until this, so they’ve pretty well kept it the same,” she said.

“The problem with is most people around here are on a set income. We do the best we can and to start upping taxes even more really makes it hard on homeowners,” Morgan added.

In order to protest the property valuation, a form must be submitted to LCAD.

“Your job is to go down there and try to prove why you’re worth less. Their job is to try to prove that their value is correct,” Adrian explained.

When property values increase, the amount homeowners pay in property taxes does as well. Another concern among homeowners was where the funds from those increased taxes would go to.

“School districts, the city, the county,” Radloff said. Other entities included local hospital services and water departments.

Property owners with questions about home valuations are encouraged to contact LCAD by calling (806) 762-5000 or by visiting the office at 2109 Avenue Q near 22nd Street.

“I would recommend that they come down and visit with us,” Radloff explained. “Come down, let us explain it to them. Let us take a look at your property, see if we do have you overvalued. If we do, we’d certainly make an adjustment at that point.”

“Your property value is going to reflect what’s going on around you. Whether you like it or not,” Adrian said.